The Empangeni Dog Club is extremely proud to announce that one of our members, Vivien Howes and her beautiful golden retriever, Bailie, has become the first and only registered Therapy dog in the Zululand area.

Bailie joined the Club as an eight week old pup and has completed his Beginner and Novice training as well as numerous tasks in preparation for his 'Paws for People' assessment. He is an absolute favourite with all who meet him and he is the 'adult canine trainer' to all of the young pups that join the Club 'Puppy School'.

There has been increasing awareness, particularly over the last thirty years, of how canine assisted activities and therapy might be utilized to improve the quality of life, as well as the treatment outcomes, for individuals. Animal Therapy refers to programs in which animals visit patients in hospitals, or nursing homes, providing patients with an opportunity to pet and socialize with a friendly animal and handler. The benefits are absolutely immeasurable with regards to the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of the patients that the dogs visit. It has been proven that animal assisted therapy also assists to help patients reach defined treatment goals. They are used to help normalize situations, socialize, calm and motivate patients. Some populations that have benefited from canine assisted activities and therapy include: nursing home patients, shelter residents, prison inmates, including juvenile delinquents, hospice clients and their families, special education students, including autistic children; and both acute care and rehabilitation hospital patients.

Some dogs, when bothered, may discipline children in the same way they would discipline pestering puppies. To avoid this, teach children responsible pack leadership skills and how to recognize the dog’s desire to be left alone at certain times e.g. When the dog is sleeping.

Do not mess with a dog while he is eating. Although the dog should have been taught that you, as the pack leader, are the provider of the food, it is extremely unfair to take food away once it was given to the dog. Some dogs are very food possessive and care should be taken that children don’t even come close to such a dog while he is eating until this problem has been addressed through correct training.

Do not make first contact with a strange dog by approaching it from behind or with your hand above the dog turned down to stroke it’s head. The dog might mistake this posture as being threatening—your hand is in a position as if to hit the dog. Rather approach with an open hand turned upwards from below, avoid any quick movements and allow the dog to sniff your hand first.

Make sure that the dog doesn’t see himself as the pack leader in the family or you might get a nasty (bitten) reprimand for trying to chase him off the couch!